Combined picture frame and easel



March 12, 1963 J. FRAIMOWITZ COMBINED PICTURE FRAME AND EASEL 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1961 INVENTOR. JACQB FRAIMOWI'T'Z W% March 12, 1963 J. FRAIMOWITZ 3,080,670

COMBINED PICTURE FRAME AND EASEL Filed June 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JACOB FRAIMOWITZ March 12, 1963 Filed June 26, 1961 J. FRAIMOWITZ COMBINED PICTURE FRAME AND EASEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I a. a?

int.

This invention relates gene-rally to picture frames and more particularly to a combined picture frame and easel.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a picture frame that is sturdy in construction and ornamental and attractive in appearance.

Another object is to provide a picture frame that is adapted to stand upright on a supporting surface.

A further object is to provide a picture frame that has a pair of main fixed sturdy supporting legs and a pair of movable collapsible auxiliary supporting legs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a picture frame with fixed main legs forming an extension of the frame at the front thereof and a pair of foldable legs adapted to be collapsed at the rear thereof to permit the frame to be hung from a wall or to be stacked in storing and transporting a number of frames.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a picture frame having considerable depth horizontally with a compartment at the rear to receive and support a photograph.

A still further object according to a modification of 3,986,670 Patented Mar. 12, 1953 frame and easel is molded of wrought iron of heavy stock and is rectangular in shape. The body of the picture frame and easel comprises a box-like rear framework consisting of two rectangular-shaped side plates or pieces 12, 12 and two rectangular-shaped end plates or pieces 14 and 16 fitted to the side plates and joined thereto by joints 18. The end plate 14 has an upstanding flange 20 along its inner edge and formed in the flange midway its ends is a keyhole slot 22. End plate 16 has an upstanding flange 17 along its rear edge and is secured in place by Phillips screws 23.

The body also has a front framework consisting of a molded rectangular-shaped frame with side portions 24, 24 and integral end portions 26 and 28. The portions 24 and 26 and 28 taper slightly outwardly from the front edges of the rear framework and the front framework is fastened to the rear framework by means of angle bars fastened to the side portions 12, 12 of the rear framework and the side portions 24, 24 of the front framework by means of screws 32. The outer edge of the front framework is beaded as indicated at 34. The rear of the the invention is to provide a picture frame with a main central compartment for a recent photograph of the subject and smaller auxiliary compartments radially dis posed around the main compartment for photographs of yesteryear of the same subject.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a picture frame and easel embodying one form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 4 is an edge view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view showing the collapsible legs in open operative condition.

FIG. 6 is a similar view showing the collapsible legs in folded inoperative condition.

.FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the collapsible legs in partly open condition.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective detail view showing the mounting of the fixed leg, the screw and nut assembly being shown in spread apart condition.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a picture frame and easel embodying a modified form of the invention shown in upright standing position.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective View thereof.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view as seen from the line 1212 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of the bottom end of the picture frame and easel showing one of the collapsible legs in folded inoperative condition and the other leg in extended operative condition.

FIG. 14 is a spread perspective view of the collapsible legs and mounting therefor on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 15--15 of FIG. 10.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a combined picture frame and easel is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The picture rear framework is closed by a cardboard panel 36 covered by a fabric sheet 37. A pane of glass 39 is clamped between the front edges of the side plates 12, 12 and the side portions 24, 24 of the front framework.

A pair of supporting legs 38, 38 depend from the bottom plate or piece 16 of the rear framework at the ends thereof. Each leg consists of an elongated round rod 40 having'a downwardly and inwardly tapering body terminating at its bottom end in a conical enlargement or foot 42 and terminating at its upper end in a reduced extension 44 forming an annular shoulder 46. The extension 44 continues into an integral bolt 48 of reduced diameter forming another shoulder 50 between the extension and bolt. The bolt is externally screw-threaded to receive a nut 52. The bolt extends through an opening 54 in the bottom plate or piece 16 and the leg is fastened in lace 'by the nut 52 as shown in FIG. 8.

In accordance with the invention, a pair of movable leg assemblies 56 is swingably mounted on the reduced extensions 44 of the main legs 38. Each assembly 56 includes a spacing and bearing sleeve 58 substantially square in cross section, sleeved around the extension 44. Two adjacent faces of the sleeve are slanted, forming an enlarged triangular-shaped corner point 62 While the other two adjacent face are square. A fiat metal strip or plate constituting a leg 64 has one end secured to one of the squared faces, the other end of the strip or plate terminating in a portion 66 extending at an obtuse angle to the plane of the body of the strip and ending in a curved foot portion 68, which serves for supporting the combined frame and easel on a horizontal supporting surface. The leg 64 extends rearwardly of the rear framework and engages the supporting surface remote from the main legs 38. A 3

A block 76 is secured to the under or outer surface 0 the bottom plate or piece 16, and forwardly of the block and closely spaced therefrom there is a flat strip or plate 72 suitably fastened along one long edge to the bottom plate 16. A plate 74 of springy metal is interposed between the block '70 and plate 72 and held in place by friction therebetween. The plate 74 is longer than the block and plate '72 and its free ends 76 are adapted to When the leg assemblies 56 are in this folded collapsed condition, as shown in FIG. 6, the combined picture frame and easel 10 may be hung from a nail on a supporting wall'or a number of such combined picture frames and easels 10 may be stacked one upon another for storage and transportation.

In order to insert a photograph, such as the photograph 25, in the rear framework of the picture frame, the end plate or piece 14 is removed by means of the Phillips screws and the photograph inserted through the open top.

When it is desired to support the combined picture frame and easel 1 in an upright or nearly upright condition, on a horizontal supporting surface, the legs 64 are swung outwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 thereby providing a four-point support, the two rear supports provided by the legs 64 being normally slightly above the bottom of the legs 38 so that the picture frame and easel when supported on a horizontal surface must tilt rearwardly on a slight plane to the vertical as shown in FIG. 3 thereby providing the easel effect. The legs 64 in swinging outwardly cause the enlarged points 62 of the bearing sleeves 58 to ride over and wipe across the free ends 76 of the springy plate 74 thereby bending said free ends as shown in FIG. 7 and when the points 62 pass thereover pressure on the free ends is released and the square faces of the sleeve bearing 58 come into contact with the free ends and the free ends are only sufliciently flexed to hold the legs 64 inoutermost swung condition as shown in FIG. 5. The adjacent ends of the legs 64 and the free ends 76 of the plate74 are cutaway as indicated at 78 and 80, respectively, to permit the swinging of the legs 64.

Referring now to the modified form of combined picture frame and easel,1 0 shown in FIGS. to 15, inclusive, in this form the body of the picture frame and easel is elongated and substantially rectangular andmade of heavy metal stock with a shallow rear box-like framework consisting of a rear plate 84 enlarged laterally at one end, thetop end as viewed in FIG. 1, as indicated at 86, and having its bottom end curved. A felt sheet 88 covers the front surface of the plate 84.

A molded metal frame 90 is superposed along the side and end edges of the plate 84 and is secured thereto by screws 91. The metal frame consists of side portions 92, 92 and endportions 94 and 96. The end portion 94 is similar in contour to the enlarged top end 86 of the plate 84-.

An outer molded metal frame 98 is superposed on the front of the metal frame 90 and consists of side portions 100, 100 and end portions 102 and 104. The end portion 102 is similar in contour to the end portions 86 and 94. Frame 98 is secured to frame 90 by soldering or in any other suitable manner.

The top end portion 102 is formed with a central enlargement carrying an ornament 106, and the bottom end portion 104 is also enlarged carrying an ornament 108. Side portions 100, 100 are preferably formed with slots 110 for decorative purposes.

The side portions 100, 100 extend downwardly below the bottom end portion 104, forming legs 112, 112 provided with curved feet 114, 114 for supporting the picture frame and easel on a horizontal supporting surface. Integral braces 116, 116 extend between the ornament 108 and the legs 112, 112.

A pane of glass 117 is clamped between the side portions 92, 92 of the metal frame 90 and the side portions 100, 100 of the outer frame 98.

.A large central oval-shaped opening 118 is formed in the rear plate 84 and a plurality of smaller oval-shaped openings 120, four being shown, is formed in the rear plate around the large central opening. Central opening 118 is closed on its outer end by a similarly shaped plate 122 and fastened in place by screws 124, and the smaller openings are closed on the outer end thereof by similarly shaped closure plate 126 fastened by screws 128. The openings extend through the felt cover 88, into the compartment defined by the plate 84 with cover, side portions 92, 92 of metal frame and side portions 100, of the outer frame 98.

Small auxiliary oval-shaped frames close the inner ends of the oval-shaped openings 118 and 120. The opening 118 is closed by an oval-shaped frame 119 comprising an oval-shaped base plate 123 and a low flange or frame 125 therearound defining a shallow compartment to receive a photograph 127. The openings 120 are closed by similarly shaped and constructed plates and frames constituting frames and compartments to receive smaller photographs 129. The larger central compartment may be used to display the most recent photograph of the subject and the other smaller compartments may be used to display photographs taken of the subject at various times therebefore.

In accordance with the invention, swingable auxiliary leg assemblies 56 are provided for supporting the combined picture frame and easel 10' in an upright or nearly upright condition on a horizontal supporting surface. For this purpose, an elongated block is interposed be.- tween the curved bottom end edge of the frame 90 and an inwardly extending horizontally disposed bracket132 on the bottom ornament 108. The block is secured to the bracket by screws 134.

A plate 136 of springy metal is disposed behind the block 130 along its inner surface, the plate being secured between the back of the block and a rigid plate 138 by means of screws 140. The ends 142 of the plate 136 are free and adapted to be bent backwardly and forwardly when pressure is brought to bear thereagainst and when pressure is released.

The block 130 has plate-like extensions at its ends constituting brackets 144, 144 disposed in a horizontal plane. The brackets 144 are formed with openings 146. A pair of auxiliary legs 146 in the form of rectangular-shaped plates, with slots 148 formed therein for decorative purposes, is swingably mounted on the brackets 144. This mounting consists of blocks 150 secured to the sides of the plates at one end thereof, said blocks 150 having curved'outer surfaces and having openings 152 extending through the centers thereof. The blocks 150 seat on the brackets 144 with the openings 152 in alignament with 0 the openings 146 in the brackets and extending through the aligned openings are pivot pins with socketed ends 154 with smooth surfaces and with threaded shanks 156 The ends 154 extend loosely in the blocks 150 and the threaded shanks engage the threaded openings 146 in brackets 144. The legs 146 are thus adapted to swing toward and away from each other and are formed with obtuse angular portions 158 terminating in curved feet 160 at their outer free ends. When the legs 146 are in outwardly swung extended position as shown in FIG. 11, the feet 160 are in a plane above the plane of the feet 114 of legs 112.

In collapsed inwardly swung position, the legs 146 have their angular portions and feet 160 in overlapped condition similar to the legs 56 shown in FIG. 6. When in this condition, the curved faces of the blocks 150 are in engagement with the free ends 142 of the plate 136 and wiping movement of said curved faces over the ends 142 causes said ends to flex and when the curved faces have moved away and the fiat portions of the blocks engage the ends, said ends return to normal condition with enough flexure therein to hold the legs 146 in extended operative position as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

When the legs 146 are in extended condition, the ,com bined picture frame and easel 10' may be supported at four points, tilted slightly at an angle to the vertical in easel fashion.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. In a device of the kind described, a picture frame including a rear box-like rectangular-shaped framework with means for insertion of a photograph, a front framework projecting radially and forwardly of the rear framework, a pair of fixed legs forming extensions of one end of the front framework, a pair of swingable legs adapted to be moved to either collapsed inoperative condition or extended operative condition rearwardly of the rear framework, means for yieldingly holding the swingable legs in extended condition, and a pane of glass clamped between the rear framework and the front framework, said holding means including a plate of springy metal with free ends adapted to be flexed, said free ends engaging one end of the swingable legs and adapted to be flexed by said one end of the legs, said swingable legs including rectangular-shaped plates having one end rotatably secured, the other free end having angular portions terminating in feet, said feet normally disposed in a plane above the plane of the bottom of the fixed feet.

2. In a picture frame, a rear box-like rectangularshaped framework having a removable end frame member for insertion of a photograph, a front framework projecting radially and forwardly of the rear framework, a pair of fixed spaced legs forming extensions of one end of the front framework and a pair of legs swingably mounted on the fixed legs and adapted to be moved to either collapsed inoperative condition or extended operative condition rearwardly of the rear framework, and a pane of glass clamped between the rear framework and the front framework, and conical feet on the free ends of said fixed legs, said swingable legs including rectangular plates having one end disposed at an angle to the plane of the body of the plates and terminating in curved feet, said mounting including sleeve bearings loosely mounted on the other ends of the fixed legs, the other end of said rectangular plates secured to said sleeve bearings, and means for yieldingly holding the swingable legs in extended operative condition, said removable end frame member having a central opening to receive a nail or the like for hanging the picture frame on a vertically disposed supporting surface.

3. A picture frame comprising a rear rectangularshaped box-like framework including a rectangular-shaped plate, said plate having a central opening and a series of smaller openings therearound, removable closure plates closing the entrance end of said openings, oval-shaped frames with plate-like bases closing the other end of the openings, said oval-shaped frames adapted to support photographs, and a frame around the peripheral edge of the plate and secured thereto, said frame having side portions and end portions, a rectangular-shaped front framework radially and forwardly of the rear framework, said front framework having side and end portions, a pair of fixed legs depending from one end portion of said front framework, a pair of legs swingably mounted on the adjacent end of the frame, said swingable legs adapted to be moved manually to either collapsed inoperative con di-tion or extended operative condition, said mounting including a block on the one end portion of the frame adjacent said one end portion of the front framework, said block having holes in the end thereof, bearing blocks carried on one end of the swingable legs, said bearing blocks having central holes therein aligned with the holes in the block, a pivot pin extending through the aligned holes, the free ends of t e plate disposed in the path of movement of the bearing blocks carried by the swingable legs whereby the free ends of the plate are flexed for holding the swingable legs in extended condition, said swingable legs having feet disposed in a plane above the plane of the supporting ends of the fixed legs whereby the picture frame is adapted to be supported in a nearly upright condition on a horizontal supporting surface, and a pane of glass clamped betwen the rear framework and the front framework.

4. A support for a box-like picture frame comprising a pair of spaced fixed elongated metal legs, a pair of legs swingably mounted on the fixed legs and adapted to be moved either to collapsed condition or operative condition, conical feet on the free ends of the fixed legs, said swingable legs including rectangular plates having one end disposed at an angle to the plane of the body of the plates and terminating in curved feet, said mounting including sleeve bearings loosely mounted on the other ends of the fixed legs, the other end of said rectangular plates being secured to said sleeve bearings, and means for yieldingly holding the swingable legs in extended operative condition.

5. A support for a box-like picture frame comprising a pair of spaced fixed elongated metal legs, a pair of legs swingably mounted on the fixed legs and adapted to be moved either to collapsed condition or operative condition, conical feet on the free ends of the fixed legs, said swingable legs including rectangular plates having one end disposed at an angle to the plane of the body of the plates and terminating in curved feet, said mounting including sleeve bearings loosely mounted on the other ends of the fixed legs, the other end of said rectangular plates being secured to said sleeve bearings, and means for yieldingly holding the swingable legs in extended operative condition, said yieldable holding means including a plate of springy metal with free ends adapted to be flexed, said free ends engaging one end of the swingable legs and adapted to be flexed by said one end of the legs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 540,011 Wiederer May 28, 1895 1,836,035 Matys Dec. 15, 1931 1,892,014 Singer et a1. Dec. 27, 1932 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE KIND DESCRIBED, A PICTURE FRAME INCLUDING A REAR BOX-LIKE RECTANGULAR-SHAPED FRAMEWORK WITH MEANS FOR INSERTION OF A PHOTOGRAPH, A FRONT FRAMEWORK PROJECTING RADIALLY AND FORWARDLY OF THE REAR FRAMEWORK, A PAIR OF FIXED LEGS FORMING EXTENSIONS OF ONE END OF THE FRONT FRAMEWORK, A PAIR OF SWINGABLE LEGS ADAPTED TO BE MOVED TO EITHER COLLAPSED INOPERATIVE CONDITION OR EXTENDED OPERATIVE CONDITION REARWARDLY OF THE REAR FRAMEWORK, MEANS FOR YIELDINGLY HOLDING THE SWINGABLE LEGS IN EXTENDED CONDITION, AND A PANE OF GLASS CLAMPED BETWEEN THE REAR FRAMEWORK AND THE FRONT FRAMEWORK, SAID HOLDING MEANS INCLUDING A PLATE OF SPRINGY METAL WITH FREE ENDS ADAPTED TO BE FLEXED, SAID FREE ENDS ENGAGING ONE END OF THE SWINGABLE LEGS AND ADAPTED TO BE FLEXED BY SAID ONE END OF THE LEGS, SAID SWINGABLE LEGS INCLUDING RECTANGULAR-SHAPED PLATES HAVING ONE END ROTATABLY SECURED, THE OTHER FREE END HAVING ANGULAR PORTIONS TERMINATING IN FEET, SAID FEET NORMALLY DISPOSED IN A PLANE ABOVE THE PLANE OF THE BOTTOM OF THE FIXED FEET. 